The Next Step

Wake. School. Gym. Practice. Home. Bed. This is a routine that Bethel Park’s Luc Gensler is very familiar with and one that wouldn’t be possible without Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School (PA Cyber).

The 17-year-old Gensler is currently on track to graduate from the online high school in 2013.

Gensler began his hockey career at a young age, skating by the age of three and joining organized leagues at four. While he dabbled in other sports, such as baseball and lacrosse, hockey has always been his passion.

PA Cyber has allowed him to be successful both in academics and athletics, without sacrificing one for the other. he is able to schedule his classes based on his hockey schedule, and can choose to do his coursework whenever time allows.

Luc’s father, Fraser Gensler, said that PA Cyber has been an absolute blessing. He is happy that his son’s academic responsibility is put on his own shoulders. It allows him to be responsible for his own coursework and learn time management skills. Both will help shape his future.

With the 2012-13 season looming, Gensler is headed to Rochester, New York, to play junior hockey for the Rochester Stars.

Gensler, a 5-11 winger with a left-handed shot, hopes to improve his game in Rochester, as well as his recruitment chances to play at a Division I college, where he plans on majoring in creative journalism. He believes that he will be more prepared for college than others because he is used to being self-motivated and responsible for his own work. Between his time on the road playing hockey and his classes with PA Cyber, Gensler feels these are two skills he has already learned – and every college student needs.

Even though he remains focused on the future, he still takes the time to remember what is important. Gensler says he is inspired by the need to set a good example for his younger sister because he knows she looks up to him. He tries to be a good role model by participating in athletics while also doing well in school.

His advice for younger athletes is simple:

“Hard work pays off – put the time and effort in and it pays off,” Gensler said. “There is nothing more valuable than hard work.”

KidSports Magazine is a guide for parents of young athletes. The magazine offers parents useful tips on such topics as nutrition, sports equipment, training, saving money, medical advice, rules, sports and school, sports education, scholarships and just about any other issue you can think of for parents of younger kids involved in sports.

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